Ohio EPA Mercury Reduction

In case of a SPILL contact the Ohio EPA spill hotline at1-800-282-9378

Mercury is a persistent bioaccumulative toxic metal that is widely used in many products (Introduction to mercury). Once mercury is released into the environment its toxicity, persistence and ability to travel up the food chain are important issues for human health and the environment. Ohio has a Statewide health advisory for mercury from fish consumption for sensitive populations: women of childbearing age and children fifteen years old or younger, issued by Ohio's Department of Health (Ohio Sport Fish Consumption Advisory). The following web sites provide information on pollution prevention, alternatives to mercury containing products, locations to drop off old mercury containing products and information on what to do in case of a spill.

Ohio’s mercury product law

House Bill 443 was made law on January 4, 2007. The law has the mercury product regulations created initially in House Bill 583 and Senate Bill 323, establishing sales bans for certain mercury products. Public and private schools through high school may not purchase mercury, mercury compounds or mercury-measuring devices for classroom use (as of April 6, 2007). Mercury thermometers and mercury-containing novelty items may no longer be sold in Ohio (as of October 6, 2007). The sale of novelty items that have mercury cell button batteries are banned in 2011. Mercury thermostats will not be sold or installed as of April 6, 2008. There are exemptions to the sales bans. The text of the law is available at this link. A fact sheet is available here.